How's this for a first post? I ordered a MINI Cooper S Clubman for my wife. Production doesn't start until Feb. 5th. I asked for a delayed start since I wanted to wait for delivery in mid March. Now, after reading the posts in this forum you all have gotten me a bit paranoid. I'm a car and motorbike enthusiast and maintain my vehicles to a very high standard but I also expect those vehicles to perform well and not be a headache. I currently drive a Mazda MX-5 Miata, VW Eurovan and my wife is leaving a 2000 VW Beetle 1.8T. Her Beetle has been an excellent vehicle and in 12 years of ownership has only needed an instrument cluster outside of normal maintenance. Are the posts complaining about the car the exception or the rule? I'm very active on several bike forums so I understand the usual internet rants. I'd appreciate some input. Oh yea, the car will be kept garaged 24/7 in Upstate South Carolina so it will lead a relatively easy life of moderate temps and no salty roads.

 

A lot of new cars coming out are having kinks, I'm noticing it more and more. The truth is if you are buying a new car you shouldn't freak because you will have a warranty. The MINI and BMW warranty's are two of the best (in my experience with 3 BMWs, 1 MINI). Not everyone has a bad experience but your warranty will be there for you if something does happen. You won't be burning money out of pocket. Hopefully you have a great dealer which also has a nice fleet of loaners. For people who get paranoid over ownership of a new car I recommend leasing. Use it the first few years, if the car feels bulletproof its worth the buyout in the end. Sounds like you pamper your cars which is great. Just an FYI, a friend of mine with a baby blue Beetle convertible hates her car. She's had it for a long time now and she always seems to have something wrong. Just something to chew on.

 

As you know then with forums, much more of the negative points are posted versus the praise.
I will agree, there can be some small quirks, but the platform is overall solid (assuming pro-active preventative maintenance and ownership).
Mini///M is pretty spot on though with any issues, the warranty period will cover any small details.
Otherwise be excited for a new car that you get to cherish and take care of right from the get-go.

- Erik

 

You could always buy a Honda! Oh, but my girlfriend's Honda Accord has been recalled twice... I guess you can't buy anything because all cars have issues.

You're gonna have to walk!

 

1st congrats on ordering a new Clubman S for your wife. I like you had worries about the build quality of our cars when ordering my wifes MY12 Clubman S. Anyway we took delivery in early Dec of our Clubman S and to date it's been great. While I can nit pik about some things which I'll get to in a bit they are very small items that you just get used to.

First thing I would suggest is immediately getting a Helix intercooler. It really helps in keeping turbo and engine cooler in turn improving performance and I hope longevity of the engine internals. Second thing albeit personal preference is to get rid of run flats and get conventional rubber and a donut spare. Day and night difference in the ride and road noise level.

The small things I eluded too earlier is the fuel gauge. It isn't accurate. You will find that when reads 1/2 tank you will be able to put in ~8gals. You'll find with 2 bars showing it will take 11 - 12gal. Best way to monitor your fuel usage is when you get to 2 bars change your computer to display miles to empty and fill up when you get down to 30 - 40 miles till empty. The only other thing I've found is the the speedo is off by 2 mph. When speedo shows 80 your really doing 78, 75 your doing 73 etc, etc. No other issues to report after almost 2k miles in 2 months.

Finally I've heard the warranty on our cars are great. Many on this forum have brought their cars in with a problem and appropriate parts replaced / changed without question.

Hope this helps.

 

I have been down the exact same road as your wife. I too came from a 2000 Beetle 1.8T that i had modified somewhat. I had a turbo back exhaust with high-flow catalytic converter, beefed up sway bars, short shifter and APR chip. I drove that car 165,000 miles in the 10 years I had it. The last 120,000 were absoloutely trouble-free. (we won't talk about the first 40,000). I loved the sleeper aspect of the bug, no one thought it was quick, or could handle. I surprised quite a few Camaros and Mustangs with it. Not to mention the occasional Civic. It was a blast to drive and own.

That said, I bought my Clubman about 18 months ago and have really loved it so far. It handled so much better "out of the box" than the Beetle, and the acceleration is adequate for me at this time. I've read quite a few horror stories here, but I've read the same kind of stories on the Beetle forums also. I really haven't regretted my purchase yet. It seems to me, from what I've read, if you maintain these cars properly. Change the oil more frequently than the suggested 15,000 miles. And don't beat on the car constantly, that you should expect the same kind of results.

Good luck with the Clubby!

 

When the time came to purchase a new car we were down to two vehicles Subaru and Mini. Well we chose the MINI knowing full well that the Subaru was more reliable but nothing drives like a MINI and we knew going in that there was one of the best warranties in the business on our MINI and we even extended it to 70k miles. I have no regrets and am looking forward to purchasing either a coupe of convertible to add to the stable within the next year.
I would go with the MINI.

 

Thanks for the input. We're committed to the purchase.

 

Bought an '04 in late '03...it goes back to the dealer once a year to get the oil changed. Still have it and it still goes to the dealer once a year to get the oil changed and every once in a while it get other maintainance taken care of. Put tires and brakes on it and ... well ... can't think of anything else.

Bought an '07 in Jan '08 and it was back in the shop the first month and then about every other month for as long as it was in "one piece" (another story). Mostly little things but.......it was the first year of the new model - Gen 2. It was otherwise a great car...what can I say, they grow on you.

Bought the 2012 MCS in Oct. I have been back to the dealer to showoff its new stripe...no problems.

Point being...don't worry, be happy and enjoy it...the dealer will take care of any problems...If it has any...BTY look at the posts on the high milage thread. There are a lot of happy Mini owners posting on NAM, you just have to look for them.

 

MINIs are definitely overall not as reliable as most Japanese brands, etc. (yes, there are exceptions, people -- relax). It is without a doubt the most fun-to-drive car I've owned, but as far as being reliable and well-made it is without a doubt not up to par with my past cars (Subaru, Honda). This is echoed by the people I personally know who also have MINIs, and the major reliability reports. It's fine -- just possibly goes with the territory for this brand, like it or not.

You could very well get a good one, and that would be fantastic. Also -- if you don't mind taking it in if it has issues -- then the warranty does cover almost everything.

 

I'm so glad I saw this post! I am supposed to pick up my MINI tomorrow and spent way too much time today reading all the negative reviews on here today and freaked myself out. I am a VW fan all the way (a GTI girl), but I wanted to try MINI. I actually wrote a long post 30 minutes ago but because I am new here it's held back to be approved by a moderator. Oy. Anyway, glad I saw this, it eased my mind a bit, and I hope it eased 50Joe's.

 

Yea, I'm cool with my purchase too.

 

And if you can own a VW, you can own a MINI. Really, anything German requires more careful maintenance and will have more quirks but nothing that responsible ownership won't take care of.

After 15 years of VWs, BMW/MINI ownership has been quite a bit easier for me.